Motherland

An Intimate Look at the World's Busiest Maternity Hospital

Taking us into the heart of the planet's busiest maternity hospital, the viewer is dropped like an unseen outsider into the hospital's stream of activity. At first, the people are strangers. As the film continues, it's absorbingly intimate, rendering the women at the heart of the story increasingly familiar.

Winner of a World Cinema - Documentary Special Jury Award for Commanding Vision, and nominated for the Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema - Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival. Official Selection at the Berlin International Film Festival.

"The assured film, immersive and astutely observed, recalls the work of master chronicler Frederick Wiseman." - Sheri Linden, The Los Angeles Times

Comments (8)

Geoffrey

Queens Public Library•7 months ago

When this film was shown in the art houses in NYC, the reviews were odd. Many found it fascinatingly rich; other critics were negative toward the film. I'm just baffled by that. I guess I'll have to go back and read the negative reviews to try to understand the criticism.

Donna

The New York Public Library•9 months ago

Amazing!

Melissa

LA County Library (Los Angeles)•11 months ago

Excellent!

Julieta

Kanopy Staff•1 year ago

Amazed by the strength of these women, and heartbroken at the same time. Great documentary!

Haeyong

Los Angeles Public Library•1 year ago

I hope they show this film in every sexual education class in high school. Not only does the film reveal the stark reality of child birth but the consequences of it. Women's health is first; women's life is first. Every woman and man should watch this film before dreaming of their future ...Read more

I hope they show this film in every sexual education class in high school. Not only does the film reveal the stark reality of child birth but the consequences of it. Women's health is first; women's life is first. Every woman and man should watch this film before dreaming of their future family.

I gave this five stars as I was completely hooked on this doc. I kept forgetting this was real life for many poor Filipino women giving birth - at times it felt like a dark comedy. I mean, how can hundreds of women and newborn babies all co-habit in a large room without some sort of social ...Read more

I gave this five stars as I was completely hooked on this doc. I kept forgetting this was real life for many poor Filipino women giving birth - at times it felt like a dark comedy. I mean, how can hundreds of women and newborn babies all co-habit in a large room without some sort of social upheaval taking place? These strong women take life day by day, accept the situation and many somehow find moments of joy and peace in the little community they form while sharing beds.....
I truly admired the nurses who tirelessly tried to convince these women to consider family planning. Really hard to watch at times, particularly when you consider the support networks, good hospitals and modern medicine that most families in the Western world enjoy.
A truly incredible piece of story-telling that I highly recommend to anyone.

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